WE BEGIN AT THE END by Chris Whitaker

I’m thrilled to share my review for We Begin at the End again to share the new paperback cover. The paperback version is published today (although I did spot a copy in Waterstones last week).

Synopsis:

Thirty years ago, Vincent King became a killer.

Now, he’s been released from prison and is back in his hometown of Cape Haven, California. Not everyone is pleased to see him. Like Star Radley, his ex-girlfriend, and sister of the girl he killed.

Duchess Radley, Star’s thirteen-year-old daughter, is part-carer, part-protector to her younger brother, Robin – and to her deeply troubled mother. But in trying to protect Star, Duchess inadvertently sets off a chain of events that will have tragic consequences not only for her family, but also the whole town.

Murder, revenge, retribution.

How far can we run from the past when the past seems doomed to repeat itself?

My thoughts:

Thank you to Zaffre Books for a preview copy – my thoughts are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by Chris Whitaker, who as I read the book, I wrongly assumed was American.

The book starts over 30 years ago with the body of Sissy being found. We jump forward 30 years from the death of Sissy to find out what happened to her family and friends in Cape Haven after her death.

We are slowly fed pieces of information about Star, Duchess, Robin and Walk. We start to find out secrets, some held for decades. Some information misdirects the reader or perhaps we just jump to wrong conclusions.

I was concerned that with all the stress and anxiety about the global pandemic, that I would struggle to be able to concentrate on this book. However, I was so quickly drawn into the lives of Duchess and Robin, that I enjoyed escaping the real world.

This book is one of those that will stay with me for a long time – great story telling and so many flawed but likeable characters. I will be recommending this book to friends and family – everyone should read about Duchess.



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